Young people in Cornwall forced to live in vans due to housing crisis

A growing number of young people in Cornwall are turning to van life as a response to the county's severe housing crisis, according to a report by a local YouTuber. The area, popular with tourists, has seen housing costs soar, making long-term rentals almost impossible at reasonable prices. Many low-paid workers only find employment during the busy summer months, leaving them unable to afford year-round rent.

Tom, who has lived in his van for over a decade, described his circumstances as 'misfortunate' after cancer treatment left him unable to pay a mortgage. He noted an increase in young people moving into vans with the aim of saving for a house deposit or buying land. A waitress and college student working full time in Truro said she finds van life 'empowering' but also 'scary' as a single woman living alone on the roadside, far from family.

The housing crisis in Cornwall is well documented. The county has over 13,000 second homes, many empty for half the year, and more than 21,000 people on the social housing waiting list. On Airbnb, thousands of properties are available for short-term lets, while on Rightmove only a few hundred long-term rentals are listed. A volunteer at St Austell Community Kitchen, which helps homeless people, described Cornwall as 'one of the worst places in England for wages' with typical pay of £12.50 an hour, while property costs run into thousands of pounds.

Winter brings additional dangers, including hypothermia and risk of pneumonia. One new van dweller, who had been on the road for four weeks, said a single room with shared amenities costs nearly £1,000 a month, which is unaffordable once council tax is added. However, some local residents express frustration. Peter, who rents out properties on a road where vans park, said he pays council tax and works hard, and feels obstructed by vans that contribute nothing to local services.

Police recently found a man and his dog dead inside a van in a lay-by; the cause of death is not yet known. The incident shocked the van community, which often serves as the only support network for those living on the road. Cornwall Council provides some overnight parking for vans but not enough to meet demand, and it tickets and moves on illegally parked vehicles. Despite the difficulties, many van dwellers say life on the road is preferable to the alternative. As one person put it, they would rather enjoy the countryside and be happy than spend their days in a flat in Essex.